Tire-chain connecter



M. G. OTIS TIRE CHAIN CONNECTER Fild April 5,1923

M'Zim 6: 05x19,

Patented May 13,1224.

ares

nnrnnasr earner easier;

MILTON Gr. OTIS, OE NEW LONDON, WISCONSIN.

TIRE-CHAIN,

Application filed April 3,

improvements in connecters, and particularly to connecters which are used to hold the ends of the side chains of anti-skidding chains of automobiles.

One object is to provide a chain connecter of this character which is simple in construction, and which cannot become accidentally opened by contact of objects.

Another object is to provide a device of this character which can be easily and quickly opened or closed, without the use of any tools, and which is not afiected by mud or ice.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from thefollowing description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a chain connector made in accordance with the 111- vention, and shown in connection with portions of a side chain, in operative or closed position.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the same.

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on the line 33 of Figure 2, the open position being shown in dotted lines.

Referring particularly to the accompany ing drawing, 10 represents an elongated flat casing which has a transverse opening 11 in one end for the reception of the end link 12, of the side chain. Disposed transversely through the other end of the casing is a pivot pin or rivet 13, and mounted on this pivot, for swinging movement longitudinally within the casing, is the locking lever 14. The free end of the lever 14 is bifurcated, resulting in the two furcations 15 and 16, the latter of which is longer than the other and has its end beveled, as shown at 17, for engagement with the correspondingly beveled face 18, of the end block 19,

oonnnernn.

1923. Serial no. 629326.

of the apertured end of the casing, said furcation, when the lever is in operative or closed position, extending across the entrance opening 22, formed in the upper edge of the casing. Formed longitudinally and centrally in the casing, and extending from a point adjacent the longitudinal center of the casing, to a point adjacent the pivot 13, is a'slot 20. The before-mentioned entrance opening 22 extends into the inner end of the slot 20, to permit the link 21, of the other end of the side chain, to pass into said slot. The shorter furcation 15 extends to the inner end of the slot 20, so that when the lever 14 is swung downwardly, into the casing, the opening between the furcations 15 and 16 will register with the slot 20, to permit longitudinal movement of the link 21, for the purpose of inserting and removing said link.

Upon comparison of Figures 2 and 3, it will readily be seen that there are nopro 'jections on the lever 14, with which any external object may engage, to cause the opening movement of the lever.

To engage the link 21 in the connecter, the lever 14: is thrown outwardly into the position shown in dotted linesin Figure 3, when the end of the link is inserted in the bifurcationof the lever, and then the lever pressed into the casing by the manipulation of the link by the operator. The pressure of the link against the shorter furcation 15 swings the lever into the casing, the link passing thereinto through the opening 22, until it is within the slot 20, when the link is drawn toward the pivot 13. It will be noted that the bight or inner end of the bifurcation lies in alinement with the outer curved end of the slot 20, whereby the link 21 will simultaneously engage the end wall of the slot and the bight of the lever, with a longitudinal strain, thus effectively holding the lever against any tendency toward opening movement.

i To remove the link 21, the operator draws up a small amount of slack in the side chain so that he can move the link to the inner end of the slot 20, when upon giving the link an outward pull, in the direction of the opening 22, the link will bear against the longer furcation 16, and swing the link into open position, with the result that the link will pass freely out through the said opening 22.

Froin the above, it will be readily seen that no tools, whatever, are necessary to insert or remove the link.

What is claimed is:

1. A tire chain connecter comprising a casing having a link receiving opening in one end, a locking lever mounted within the casing and having a lon itudinally extending; open-ended slot in its me end for reception of another end link, the casing having a longitudinal slot opening through one side of the casing for reception of said other link, the said locking lever being entirely housed within the casing when in locked position.

2. A. tire chain connecter comprising a casing having an L-shaped slot therethrough with one end thereof opening through one edge face of the casing and a longitudinally bifurcated lever pivotally secured within the casing and arranged to receive and carry a link into the slot and to close the beforementioned end of the slot;

I 3. A tire chain connecter comprising a casing havinga longitudinal central slot with one end opening: through one ed ze face of the casing. a lever pivotallv secured within the casing and having; a pair of longitudinally extendingfurcations between which the end link of a-chain is arranged to be passed and by means of which lever said link is arranged to be moved into said slot.

one of said furcations being longer than the other and arranged to close the before-mentioned open end of the slot.

4:. A tire connecter comprising a casing; having a longitudinal slot formed transversely therethrough and extending from a point intermediate the length of the casing: to a point adjacent one end thereof. a lever pivotally secured within the last-named end of the casing: and movable into and out of the casing the said slot having an angularlv extending outlet portion directed through one edge face of the casing, the free end of the lever being longitudinally bifurcated with one of the fur-cations longer than the other furcation and arranged to lie across the said outlet of the slot, to close the same when the lever is within the casing.

5. A tire chain connecter comprising a casing having spaced side walls. provided with aligning link receiving openings in one end thereof, a locking lever pivotally secured within the other end of the casing, the said lever and casing being each provided with a longitudinal slot, which slots are arranged to register when the said lever is in locked position. and when in such position. the said locking lever is entirely housed within the said casing.

6. A tire chain connecter comprising "a casing having spaced side walls, a block secured between the side walls in one end of t as casinm the said casing being further provided with an L-shaped slot therethrough with one end thereof opening through one edge face thereof. and a longitudinally bifurcated lev .r pivotally secured within the other end of the casing and arranged to receive and carry a link into the slot and to close the before-mentioned end of the slot. the said furcations being terminally beveled and arranged to contact with the correspondingly beveled face of the end block.

7. A tire chain connecter comprising a casing having spaced side walls. and a lockinn; lever pivotally secured within one end of the casing. the said lever arranged to be entirely housed within the casing when in locked position.

In testimony whereof. I afiix my signature. in the presence of two witnesses.

JoHN KRoMsHMsKr. 

